Can someone explain "expired license plate"?

[Komakino]

When I watch US cop shows or those "World's Wildest..." videos I often hear them say that the car has "expired license plates". Can someone explain what that means please? In the UK registration plates on the car don't expire, but car tax (displayed on a disc on the windscreen) has to be renewed periodically. Is it a similar idea?

I've wondered about this virtually every time I've seen it on TV, so if someone could explain that would be great!

[hover]

they didn't renew their registration and get new plate stickers....

[MakiSupaStar]

Similar. When you register your car you get new tags and registration. You have to register the car every year. The License plate stays the same though. Sometimes registration requires that you pass a smog check as well (at least in California it does).

[jp58]

Its virtually the same thing you guys have. We pay a registration tax for new tags or a new plate. And when the plate isn't up to date, that's when they get stopped.

[Schlyder]

yes, the plates don't actually expire. The registration sticker on the plate expires.....
It is just easier to say "expired plates", instead of "expired registration sticker"

[MatticusMania]

I always say 'expired tags' its shorter than both.

[hover]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

I always say 'expired tags' its shorter than both.

no it's not. syllable-wise...

[MatticusMania]

Yeah, but we all know the key to saving time & space is character count!